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PHYSICAL FITNESS STATUS OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Following man’s great revolution to make better what nature has provided, and his quest for better living resulting from technological breakthrough, man has finally ended up losing his natural qualities to artificial living. Therefore, optimal health should not only be pursued but ought to be improved with exercise.

Globally, there has been a remarkable change in the lifestyle since the advent of the industrial revolution. Automobiles, aircrafts, the telephone, radios and several automatic machines have made life relatively easier, thereby relegating manual labour to the background. This brings about a decrease in physical fitness, and thus led to the endangerment of health and normal functioning of organs and systems (Hollmann and Hettinger, 2000). From time Nigerians have lived on farms or in villages and hamlets with agriculture as their main sources of livelihood, but with increased mechanization and its attendants rural urban migration, Nigeria once a society of physically active and hardworking people is being gradually transformed into a population of anxious city dwellers and sub-urbanities purely on sedentary existence due to lack of opportunity for physical activities (Sule, 2009).

The importance of physical fitness in the growth and development of a nation has been stressed by President J.F. Kennedy, (Pollock, Jack,and Samuel, 1984). In the light of the well documented health benefits of physical activity and with increase emphasis for active lifestyle for the health of individuals and Nations, majority of individuals in many developed and developing populations are not regularly active. According toHeyward (1998), Niemen (1998), Manila (2001) U.S. Department of Health and Human Services stated that almost one – half of youth 12-21 years of age are not regularly active, 60% of adults are not regularly active and 25% of adult are not active at all. Nwegbu (1978) in Gajere (2005) has made similar observations about Nigerian youth and population that they are physically unfit.

Physical activity (PA) is an important part of healthy lifestyle and has been extensively documented and associated with health benefits (Welk, 2002; Department of Health, 2004). However, it is recommended that youth should undertake at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical fitness programs on most, if not all days of the week (National Association for Sports and Physical Education, 2004; Department of Health and Aging, 2004). There is evidence that adolescents do not engage in sufficient physical fitness programs to achieve these health benefits Katsina State adolescents inclusive (Van Mechelen, Twisk, Post, Suel, Kemper, 2000; Varo, Martinez-Gonzalez, Delrala-Estevez, Kearney, Gibney, Martinez, 2003). This situation underlines the need to dedicate more attention to the factors explaining the adoption of physical fitness, which may include past physical activity behaviour, intention to be physically active, perceived health benefit, motivation, self-efficacy, and support by significant others family influence, accessibility of sport facilities and attitude towards physical activity (Ries, Granados, Galarraga, 2009).

Studies have shown that physical fitness of children did improve as a result of some training programmes in running speed. Researchers like Shephard (1984), Nka (1999) have argued that the pre-adolescents growth period is a fruitful period to stimulate training responses because of hormonal activities. Kemper (1984) discovered that boys grow faster than girls at all ages with differences increasing with age. According to Macauley (1999) there are sign of a serious decline in the level of physical activity among children and the pattern established in early life are maintained as these children get older. More alarming than the decline in physical activity is evidence of declining levels of physical fitness and the relationship between poor physical activity, fitness and cardio vascular risks factors. He went ahead to stressed that children are considerably less active than 10-20 years ago with correspondingly higher levels of obesity, lipids and hypertension. Macauley (1999) further reported that studies in Britain have shown that poor levels of aerobic fitness in children of all ages drop considerably after the age 14 years. In general boys were more active than girls at all ages, and after the age of 14 years activity levels among girls drop very low.

Other researchers are of the opinion that the children naturally sustain a high level of habitual physical activity and that the male child in particular would still make gains in different parameters of physical fitness training ( Malina 1984).

Pollock, Jack and Samuel (1984) stated that developed Nations of the world like Germany, the United States of America, Britain and Japan have recognized fitness as a necessary factor in contributing to the economy and happiness of a nation. Such Nations have accordingly developed and implemented physical fitness programmes and assessed physical fitness status of their citizens including the youth and children.

In China for example more emphasis has been placed on physical fitness of citizens for economic purpose. According to Mao Tse-tung ―for a nation to develop economically, the citizens must be healthy‖ and for workers to be highly productive, they need to be physically fit‖. He therefore, strongly recommended and encouraged participation in physical fitness programmes in the industries, factories, communities‘ schools and other organizations (Haruna, 2005).Chado (1990) emphasized that during the pre-colonial days in Nigeria, different groups of people were actively involved predominantly in high energy expenditure physical activities such as farming, fishing, long distance walking, hunting, and many other strenuous activities that greatly contributed to their health. This way of life was observed throughout the African continent. Thus making the participants physically fit.

Nigeria as a developing Nation, realized the relevance of sports and physical education in building physical fitness as shown in the Federal Government of Nigeria ( FGN,1981) that sports and physical education must be emphasized at all levels of our educational system. Moreover with the introduction of the 6-3-3-4 educational system in Nigeria, Katsina State specifically there has been an increased in students‘ enrolment, establishment of more public and private secondary schools with little or no sporting facilities and equipment. This makes participation in physical education and sports optional for the students. However, before this development boarding school system were practiced with enough sporting facilities and participation in physical education and sports by all students was compulsory. Thus participation in sports and physical activities in these days is voluntary and this has affected the physical fitness status of our students in both public and private secondary schools. Macauley (1999) pointed out that children are less fit today this is because more sedentary diversion such as television and video games, computer, takes them away from physical activity. Similarly Pollock et al (1984), Jackson, Marrow,Hill and Dishman (1999) maintained that children are not as active or fit than they were a quarter Century ago. This study was therefore designed to assess the physical fitness status of public and private junior secondary school students in Katsina State and ascertain whether one group has higher level of fitness than the other.

1.2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The potential for physical activity and fitness to improve cognitive function, learning and academic achievement in children has received attention by researchers and policy makers in developed nations. There seems to be a disconnect between founders of private secondary schools and government criteria for provision of sports facilities for physical activity, fitness and sports development of children in private and public schools in Nasarawa State. It has been ascertained that physical activity helps children's cognitive development, development of the body organs and protection against deficiency.

Non-compliance of most private and public schools to standard sports facility development may be a foundation for athlete's poor performance in international sports engagements today. Additionally, there is a rise in childhood diseases and cases of child obesity among school children. The study therefore examined the impact of physical activity on the wellness of students in private secondary schools in Nasarawa State.

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The main objective of this study is to determine the physical fitness status of public and private secondary school students

Specific objectives include;

1. To compare the physical fitness levels of students attending public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State.

2. To identify factors influencing the physical fitness status of students in public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State.

3. To assess the effectiveness of physical education programs in public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State in promoting students' physical fitness.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What are the differences in the physical fitness status between students enrolled in public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State?

2. How do socio-economic factors, access to sports facilities, and participation in physical education classes influence the physical fitness levels of students in public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State?

3. What are the strengths and weaknesses of physical education programs implemented in public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State in enhancing students' physical fitness?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES

1. Students attending private secondary schools in Nasarawa State will demonstrate higher levels of physical fitness compared to their counterparts in public secondary schools.

2. Socio-economic status, access to sports facilities, and participation in physical education classes will positively correlate with the physical fitness status of students in both public and private secondary schools in Nasarawa State, with greater impacts observed among private school students.

3. Physical education programs in private secondary schools in Nasarawa State will be more effective in improving students' physical fitness compared to those in public secondary schools, reflecting differences in resources and implementation strategies.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Understanding the physical fitness status of both public and private secondary school students holds significant implications for educational policymakers, health professionals, and society at large. This study could provide valuable insights into disparities in access to physical activity opportunities, the effectiveness of school-based fitness programs, and potential socioeconomic influences on fitness levels. By elucidating these factors, interventions can be tailored to address specific needs, promoting healthier lifestyles and academic success among youth across diverse educational settings. Ultimately, such research can contribute to the development of more equitable and effective strategies to improve the overall well-being of adolescents and mitigate long-term health disparities.

1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The scope of the study focuses on assessing the physical fitness status of secondary school students in Karu Local Government Area (LGA) in Nasarawa State. It aims to examine the differences in physical fitness levels between students attending public and private secondary schools within the LGA. The study will involve standardized fitness tests and surveys to collect data on various fitness parameters. Recommendations will be provided based on the findings to improve physical education programs and promote overall health among students in Karu LGA

1.8 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

One limitation of the study on the physical fitness status of public and private secondary school students in Karu LGA of Nasarawa State may be the lack of generalizability beyond this specific geographic location and student demographic. Additionally, potential biases could arise from self-reported data or inconsistencies in measuring physical fitness levels. Furthermore, external factors such as socioeconomic status, cultural differences, and individual lifestyle choices may not be fully accounted for, impacting the overall validity and applicability of the study's findings.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. Physical Fitness: Refers to the overall health and capability of an individual's body to perform various physical activities efficiently, encompassing components such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition.

2. Public Secondary School: A government-funded educational institution providing secondary education, typically open to all students within a designated geographic area and operated by local or national authorities.

3. Private Secondary School: A non-governmental educational institution offering secondary education, often requiring tuition or fees for attendance and managed independently by private organizations, individuals, or religious institutions.

4. Fitness Status: The current level of physical fitness achieved by an individual or group, typically assessed through standardized fitness tests or measurements of various fitness components such as endurance, strength, and flexibility.

5. Comparative Study: An investigation that examines and contrasts two or more groups, variables, or phenomena to identify similarities, differences, patterns, or relationships, often conducted to analyze the effects of different conditions or factors on the subject of study.

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